Being the victim of a robbery is something you’ll hopefully never have to live through. However, if it does happen, you need to know the steps to recover from the break-in both financially and emotionally.
Here are six things to do in Westport, Calif., after your home or business has been broken into.
Call the Police and File a Report
If you’re in the home when someone one is trying to break in, call 911 immediately. Do the same, if you arrive home and suspect someone is in your house. You definitely don’t want to confront a burglar on your own.
However, if you’re certain the burglar has fled, now’s the time to call the police or sheriff. In Westport, call the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 463-4086.
Resist the urge to start cleaning up police have arrived and told you it’s ok to do so. Otherwise, you might disturb key evidence that police need to investigate the break-in.
Call Your Insurance Company
Now that you’ve informed the proper authorities be sure to contact your homeowners or renters insurance company within 24 hours of the incident. The company will likely send an insurance adjuster to inspect the break-in and make an estimate to cover damages. Be aware, you may be asked to provide receipts or other proof of ownership for any expensive items that were stolen, like TVs, jewelry, or other goods.
Begin to Clean Up and Put Pieces Back Together
Once the police have finished with their investigation and you’ve contacted your insurance companies, it’s time to start to clean up. Reach out to contractors to replace windows or fix busted doors or any other damage. It can be helpful to have carpets cleaned or rooms painted, this can help remove the sometimes painful memories of a break in.
Reach out for Help
A break in can be an emotionally draining experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and families during this time and don’t be surprised if it takes a while to feel comfortable in your home. As with any traumatic experience, you will feel better with time and the support of those around you.
Review the Security of Your Home
After you’ve mentally recovered from your break in, it’s time to think about home security and how you can prevent another incident from occurring. The best ways to improve the security of your home include getting a security system installed, adding motion sensing lights to the exterior or your home, and working with your neighbors to report any suspicious activity. Apps like NextDoor (https://nextdoor.com/) can make that easy. After all, most burglars will stalk a neighborhood before attempting a break-in, looking for vulnerable houses that will be easy to get into.
Advanced Security Systems has security solutions for homes of all types and sizes in Westport. Contact us today for a free, no obligation security consultation at 707-544-9200.
Learn more at http://advancedsecurity.us/geo-landing/westport-ca-home-security-company.html